Welcome back to Truth, Lies & Work, the award-winning podcast where behavioral science meets workplace culture. Have you ever wondered why some of the most brilliant people struggle to get a business off the ground? This week, we are joined by Dr. Rosenna Bakari, a psychologist, empowerment expert, and author of Seven Exits. Rosenna’s story is a wake-up call for high achievers. After heading to Cornell at 17, earning her PhD, and building a lauded career in academia, she hit a brick wall when she tried to become an entrepreneur. She discovered that the very skills that make you "right" in a classroom—intellect, working alone, and academic rigor—can actually be the primary barriers to success in the real world. 🔥 What We Discuss in This Episode In this episode, we dive into the psychology of "leaving where you are" and the seven exits you must take to truly grow. The Hyper Ego: Why smart people often lean into defensiveness instead of awareness when things go wrong. The "Right vs. Solved" Dilemma: The one question from a mentor that changed Rosenna’s life: "Do you want to be right, or do you want to solve the problem?" The Trap of Passion and Purpose: Why treating passion like intellect can blind you to what the market actually needs. Transitioning from Books to People: Why shifting from a high regard for knowledge to a focus on relationships is the essential "knob" to turn for business growth. The 200-Call Challenge: Rosenna’s journey of moving from a "safe" academic facade to vulnerable, human outreach. 🧠 Key Lessons for Founders and Leaders Your Intelligence is a Tool, Not a Passport: It can get you in the door, but it won't keep the door open. At some point, you have to change how you show up. Check Your Ego Before You Blame the Market: When a project fails, the first question shouldn't be about the economy; it should be: "How am I getting in my own way?" The "Respect vs. Like" Reality: If you believe it doesn't matter if people like you as long as they respect you, entrepreneurship might not be for you. Business moves at the speed of relationships. 🔗 Connect with Dr. Rosenna Bakari LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosenna-bakari-ph-d-b3120194/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dr._bakari_empowerment YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@rosennabakari5535 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sevenexits_rosennabakari/ Website: https://rosennabakari.com Book: https://transformation.sevenexits.com 📬 Connect with Al & Leanne – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/truthlieswork – Al Elliott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thisisalelliott – Leanne Elliott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meetleanne – Email: [email protected] – Book a call: https://savvycal.com/meetleanne/chat Mental health support UK & ROI — Samaritans Call 116 123 or visit https://www.samaritans.org UK — Mind Call 0300 123 3393 or visit https://www.mind.org.uk US — Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Call or text 988 or visit https://988lifeline.org Australia — Lifeline Call 13 11 14 or visit https://www.lifeline.org.au Global helplines https://findahelpline.com Truth, Lies & Work is part of the HubSpot Podcast Network, the audio destination for business professionals.